Tell Me What You Want

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Hey Pintestes! Is it ok if I just talk to you today? That’s ok, right? Right. We’re gonna do it.

So I kind of wanted to talk to you about the future of Pintester. Don’t worry! It’s not going anywhere. I love this blog and I love all of you. You are the community that’s made it the success that it is. So now that we’re not panicking, I do want to talk about some things I have in mind.

How would you feel about a weekly newsletter recapping some popular posts and forum topics?

And tangentially related:

Would you be interested in some educational materials from me? Like maybe eBooks, podcasts, coaching, etc. on blogging or other topics?

What’s your favorite place to spend time on the Internets (besides here and Pinterest, of course)? I want to meet you where you are other places online, too.

What other brilliant ideas do you have for me?

I know that’s a lot of questions, and– to be honest– I already have the answers in mind for some of them, but I would love to hear your take on any or all of those topics and anything else you want to say. Now’s your chance! I want this blog/community/gang of craft fuck-ups to be the best damn whatever-it-is it can be. So hit me in the comments and tell me what you think.

106 Comments

I would be interested in blogging tips. Today is my one-month mark from the day I started Kaffeeklatsch with Athena on wordpress, and I love it, but would always be open to tricks and a little know-how from one as revered in the blogosphere as yourself.

I agree on the blogging tips. You are so funny and you really seem to have everything together. You have already helped me tremendously in email, but any other tips would be great. Also, I love your videos. It is great to actually get to see and hear you; it adds a whole new dimension. Another thing I think would be cool is seeing more crafts. I enjoy the food and cocktails, but I am a crafter and artist, and I love seeing other peoples’ take on things. I really enjoyed your snowman the other day and would love to see more posts like it!

I generally really like the content here. I’m not crazy about the videos, but I’m not crazy about video blogs in general, so don’t take that personally. I think you’ve got a good mix of recipes and crafts, so I think you’re good on that front.
I wouldn’t be interested in blogging/writing/etc. tips here because, honestly, I’m not all that interested in it. You clearly know what you’re doing, so I think blogging about that elsewhere would be good for the people who are interested in it. Likewise, I wouldn’t subscribe to a newsletter.
As for other websites, I go to Tumblr a lot, in addition to Pinterest. I read Flavorwire and Laineygossip daily and enjoy The Hairpin/The Awl, Ask A Manager and Refinery 29 on a semi-regular basis.

For me, I hate that it was so picky about logging in for some reason. Seemed like I could never chose the same ID again…which seemed weird. I also don’t like that the oldest posts go to the bottom…really hard to follow conversations (with replies) going up then down then up then down . Was easier to log in this time but still seems backwards for reading comments.

I could take some time to think about this, but then I’d never get back to it and then nobody would learn my thoughts! So here’s a few general things that vaguely answer the first question.I like the coctail drink pintest because of the high hopes and hilarity that you include, but not so much about the drinks themselves. (just my personal tastes)I DO like the much more visual food, craft, “home beauty” pins because the picture progression of failure (or success!) is a lot more fun for me, as a reader. I know you avoid those crafts, but their tests are pure gold.
I’m still dissapointed that I can’t watch videos from work. If you did a weekly roundup, you should do it on the weekend so I’m reminded to look at those videos at my uncensored home internet.

I would love to see more pictures showing the steps of the pintester-ing. Sometimes it seems like there’s a picture of what it’s supposed to look like, then just a picture of the final product. And while I love your commentary, I’m a picture-lover so I’d like to see more pictures of “this is how I got from here to here.” Hope this makes sense lol. Love this site by the way!!

Thanks! Seems like more is usually better with pictures. I don’t always post all of them, but I do post probably 75% of the ones I take. I’ll try to get better ones (and maybe be less self-conscious about my very poor photography skills).

Well, for a start, ‘pintestes’? I do not relate, definitely a pingina 😉
I do really enjoy the crafts, although pretty much 99% because they come out so, er, realistically. I know that’s not really your thing (which is probably why it’s so hilari… entertaining) and pot roasts are, but pot roasts all tend to come out looking kinda gross. I firmly believe that pretty pot roasts are done by cheating and decorating them with herbs and crap before taking the photo. Well, not crap. Herbs.

Personally, I’d say leave blogging and writing discussions for Tweet Chats or something. They just don’t go with the format here, but they might help build the community by bringing new folks in. Even just joining in on established chats like #WriteChat helps. #Crafterminds might be a good place to look for new things to test, actually.

wait… you wanna feel me up on video? uh, i think you should stick to effing up pinterest recipes. and definitely up the pictures. video is inconvenient, though i’ll watch it because you’re funny as balls. (they ARE really ridiculous aren’t they?) so yeah, more pictures about the process. a suggestions form page- (name, email, link, why). i think product reviews are awesome too. like make up, kitchen gadgets, as-seen-on-tv crap. as for educational mats, i think you should do the advanced physics for engineers in one weekend on the MIT site. just a suggestion.

1) That little box encouraging me to share your post in a variety of ways always covers up some of the post. Can I get rid of it?
2) I wish I didn’t have to sign in to anything to comment. I like on more commercial blogs that you just put your name, email, and the comment, and done.

That’s actually really weird, because right before you posted this, I was thinking about how cool it would be if you made the format more like pinterest. Not in the way of the pictures all over the place, but just the top bar. Y’know, have like categories “food” “crafts” “everything” etc. Actually, that would pretty much be it….but sitll!

I’m gonna say something here, kind of in response to you and also for the Pintester’s benefit. I am a technical writer. I’ve worked with some big software companies, including a search engine company (my boss invented Webcrawler) and a company that writes the software that people use to create gigantic websites, like the NY Times, Walmart, Ford, and Best Buy.

I also have designed website on my own for regular people who want to have webstores and websites with more than a few pages.

I used to think back when I started designing websites that it was possible for me to have a shopping cart that was like Walmart’s. That it was possible for me with Dreamweaver to create a site like Pinterest’s. I thought I could install a search engine on my site that worked as well as the one on those sites.

It’s not.

The software I worked with that is used for the NY Times is so involved to use that they won’t sell it to you unless you have 60 programmers on staff. That’s the MINIMUM you have to have. And that doesn’t even have anything to do with the shopping cart. They have a whole other team of people to program that. Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, anyone with a site that has a real, functional interface has HUNDREDS of programmers on staff.

So, the Pintester, she’s doing a good job here with her blog design. She’s doing it out of her kitchen and she doesn’t have a hundred programmers putting this all together. I’m just passing this on because the only thing this site’s design has in common with Pinterest’s is that you can view the both in a browser. She’s putting her site together with WordPress or something like that.

1. I like food posts. I’m guilty of always substituting things like you do, so if you screw it up, there’s a chance I’d screw it up too. Or maybe I just like laughing at your hilariously commentated misfortune. I’m a pretty good cook.2. Well, I haven’t ever clicked on anything other than links to posts from the home page. I haven’t been to the store or the forum, I don’t even know if you have a Facebook or twitter or anything like that. I assume you have a Pinterest, but I haven’t even found you there. I just like your blog posts.3. I can suggest tests? Sweet, how? I guess maybe I should venture into the forums, or look on Facebook or twitter or Pinterest or something….4. Ok, you got me to click on the store. The apron is cute. I’d buy your book if you wrote one, or at least check it out from the library for free.5. Not really interested in a newsletter.6. Wait, I thought this blog was humorous because you always fuck things up. Why would I want coaching from you? :)7. Cake wrecks and Epbot, skinnytaste, bakingdom, bakerella, smitten kitchen, picky palate.8. More step-by-step photos of your fuck-ups please 🙂 Also I hate when I get emailed every time someone after me comments on a post. I need to figure out how to turn that shit off…

1.) I am a major fan of the CockNails…even though I don’t drink and even though my fingernails aren’t long enough to do anything cute to them. I would like to watch more CockNails!! 2.) Less Ads. I don’t even know if you can even minimize this but they are really annoying. I have to scroll down practically half of the page in order to start reading. 3.) As another mentioned, getting email notifications that someone commented after me is irritating as well. I don’t know if I can fix this personally, but it’s a pain in the butt! 4.) I really like the food pins! Alot of what you do (or, rather, try to do) is stuff that I am interested in trying as well….even though when I try it, it usually works, I still like watching you do it.) 5.) I’d also like to see more pictures. I’m a big fan of the step by step stuff and would like to see the progression of a pin. [I understand that in certain circumstances that it is impossible to do…like the whole shaving cream-listerine messy hands thing] 6.) More pictures of your dog!! 😀

SherriPate I seriously suggest getting adblock plus. I don’t see any ads on any sites. I love it.Also, to change the email notifications settings click on your user name towards the top of the comments section (under # of comments) and click edit profile. Select the email notifications tab and set your preferences how you’d like.

I’m okay with ads as long as they stay at the top or sides – when they go crazy and overlap the blog or pop-up in the middle it’s really distracting. It might be nice if there is any way to get more targeted ads for cooking/crafting/etc since that is the theme of the blog and why we are all here.

PintesterDecember 20, 2012 - 1:36 pm

I’d like to fix the issue that you and Sherri are having with the ads overlapping or popping up or following you down the page, but I can’t replicate the problem. Is there a specific ad you’re seeing that’s doing that?

Christine Kerns GilletteDecember 20, 2012 - 2:44 pm

In the past, it was the one right under the title (where Cetaphil is today). Overall not a huge problem, we’ll let you know when something specific pops up again. Thanks ^_^

Hey Sherri, are you talking about the ad banner at the very top, or specifically the Cetaphil one in this post? Because most of the time I’m not putting ads directly in the post, but the top banner stays up all the time.

Also, I just changed the comment system so let me know if you like this one better. 🙂

There is a way to adjust your settings so that you are not notified every single time someone responds to a post you commented on. I stopped posting comments because it was too annoying for words that just because I commented on the Chik-fil-a post I got an email every time someone else did. So, I hunted around and found out there is a setting in the account for when you get notified. I have mine turned on so I only get notified if someone responds specifically to a comment of mine.

I’m not the biggest fan of cocknails because I don’t drink and I don’t use nail polish, but they’re usually still pretty funny. I wish more people used the forums regularly.Not so concerned about the store, too broke to buy anything.No weekly newsletter. Maybe you can add more to the pinteste round-up posts (popular posts/forum topics)?Educational materials from you…maybe if it was something hilarious like “How to Fuck Shit Up” but otherwise I don’t think that’s something I’d personally be interested in here on Pintester.Besides here and Pinterest, I spend most of my time on FB or working on my blog. And a little bit of Twitter.

I’m not the biggest fan of cocknails because I don’t drink and I don’t use nail polish, but they’re usually still pretty funny.
I wish more people used the forums regularly.
Not so concerned about the store, too broke to buy anything.No weekly newsletter.
Maybe you can add more to the pinteste round-up posts (popular posts/forum topics)?
Educational materials from you…maybe if it was something hilarious like “How to Fuck Shit Up” but otherwise I don’t think that’s something I’d personally be interested in here on Pintester.
Besides here and Pinterest, I spend most of my time on FB or working on my blog. And a little bit of Twitter.
I wish I could edit my comments instead of completely having to delete it.

I’m not the biggest fan of cocknails because I don’t drink and I don’t use nail polish, but they’re usually still pretty funny.
I wish more people used the forums regularly.
Not so concerned about the store, too broke to buy anything.
No weekly newsletter.
Maybe you can add more to the pinteste round-up posts (popular posts/forum topics)?
Educational materials from you…maybe if it was something hilarious like “How to Fuck Shit Up” but otherwise I don’t think that’s something I’d personally be interested in here on Pintester.
Besides here and Pinterest, I spend most of my time on FB or working on my blog. And a little bit of Twitter.
I wish I could edit my comments instead of completely having to delete it.

I’m not the biggest fan of cocknails because I don’t drink and I don’t use nail polish, but they’re usually still pretty funny.
I wish more people used the forums regularly.
Not so concerned about the store, too broke to buy anything.
No weekly newsletter. Maybe you can add more to the pinteste round-up posts (popular posts/forum topics)?
Educational materials from you…maybe if it was something hilarious like “How to Fuck Shit Up” but otherwise I don’t think that’s something I’d personally be interested in here on Pintester.
Besides here and Pinterest, I spend most of my time on FB or working on my blog. And a little bit of Twitter.
I wish I could edit my comments instead of completely having to delete it.

I am not a large fan of the video…basically because I get and read your emails at work and I dont have time and dont need my co workers to think I am watching Porn…But I love the Blog and I love the fact that you read my mind…for example I was so thinking of making those Sock Snowmen for gifts… and then BAM! You tried it! SO thanks for reading my mind!

You’re quite welcome. 🙂 And thanks for the video feedback. You are not alone in the not-wanting-to-watch-at-work thing. And I totally understand, because I didn’t like to watch videos at work either when I worked in an office. You never know when there’s going to be a super loud fart noise or something…

Yay! A much improved comment system. I have wanted to comment several times, but just couldn’t be f-ing bothered. I mean, it would take like two extra steps! 😉

Can you have every post have something to do with alcohol? I might even be inspired to try one of your beloved Tom Collins one of these days. Honestly, I love everything you post on- crafts, food (especially hilarious), beauty- all of it! I don’t even go on Pinterest- why bother when you bring the best to us.

I don’t watch the video blogs, but like others have said, it’s because I’m not into those anyway. I’m on Facebook and Twitter, though I only follow you on your blog. I don’t want to be a total stalker!

Pintester and The Daily What are my two fav blogs since both make me laugh and help me take my mind off fiscal cliffs, the impending Mayan zombie apocalypse and oh the inhumanity, for at least a few minutes. Thank you!!

1) I would love to be able to have a box where I could go write in and suggest a pin I just found for you to try, like popping in a link or something. I saw something the other day on P and it would’ve been perfect for you but now I forgot because I figured I didn’t know how I’d tell you about the pin. 2) I would love to be able to have my blog URL link to my name when I comment like it does when I comment on other sites like younghouselove (and my own blog). I say funny stuff and test lots of Pinterest stuff myself. And I shout out to you constantly, no lies. 3) I love CockNails, tho I watch it in silent at work – therefore more videos aren’t really that appealing since I can’t enjoy them too much; I love the food tests and facial product tests/cosmetic products like the tea tan (so lame); I would also love to see more home decor and anything crafty (but that’s because I’m crafty, so I’m biased). 4) The more you swear or make innuendo, or trash-talk chick-fil-a, the better. 5) I have a blog, but am not that interested in a regular series on blog subjects, so maybe once a month? I come to you to see your craziness and then to see what the Pintestes have to say about the whack. 6) You should definitely get a cat. Your dog will grow to love him. Male cats are better, FYI, no offense to female cat owners. Male cats are all, “what’s up, dude?” Female cats are all, “Hissss, back up out my space biznatch!” Which would you prefer? 7) Pinteste round-ups once a week – we say some good stuff.

You just need to let the cat pick YOU, instead of the other way around. Also, I think female cats are more mellow than males, especially if they grow up around dogs. (& I have little, high spirited doglets)

I love the changes you’ve made to the comments section and the addition of the “Suggest a Test” button at the top. I really enjoy the Cocknails series. I hope you continue to do those posts (you know you’re drinking and doing your nails anyway). My favorite posts are the craft-themed ones, but you make everything so funny that I don’t care what you test. On a related note, I burned my finger today hot-gluing pipe cleaner reindeer antlers onto beer bottles, and I thought of you.

One small request- when i go to the main page and see the list of recent posts there is always a picture of the end result right there next to the post title. like a little spoiler. kinda ruins the fun for me a little. i think the picture from the actual pin would be better there.

It should only be popping up the very first time you come to the site. Make sure you have cookies enabled. Also, if you’re on a different computer or browser every time, it will pop up again. Does that help?

I think I like your writing style best, so I tend to like written posts better than videos. But I still giggle at your videos. As long as you don’t stop writing, I’m good. I like the food tests best. But really and truly, I come to your site because I like your writing style. So just keep on keeping on and I’ll keep coming back.

First off, I’m a little disappointed that you missed the obvious potential for the title of this post. I’ll help you out this one time – “Tell Me What You Want, What You Really Really Want”! –drops mic, walks off–

1) Type of test? More crafts would be great – I know you think you aren’t crafty, but that’s the whole point, right? Pinterest makes everyone think crafts are super easy and who better to debunk that? ^_^ Just be careful with hot glue, etc and stick to the ones that don’t require you to go on a craft store shopping spree.

2) Is there anything about the format that bugs you? Not really! It’s got “character”.

3) Do you want a more streamlined and visible way to suggest tests? Looks like you’re all over this one already, excellent!

4) Store? The items in the store are great but I think more variety in the logo/image on the item would be a big improvement. Maybe a contest for Pinteste-submitted logos/graphics? Something that gets the spirit of what we’re all doing here ^_^

5) Weekly newsletter? TL;DR… Incorporating top forum stuff into the Weekly Roundup on the site would be the best IMHO. The Forum is a great idea but I just can’t read enough to keep up and still look like I’m working…

6) Educational materials? What NOT to do, a go-to compilation reference, photos and swears a-plenty ^_~ Blog-based 411 could be located on your personal webpage and linked to from The Pintester site occasionally.

7) Favorite place on the Internets? I’ve recently become addicted to Imgur. I already stalk you, err The Pintester, on FB and Twitter.

8) Other brilliant ideas? Hmmm, “Pinteste Takeover” guest blog posts – where the Pintestes submit their own Fails/Semi-Fails and you can feature them occasionally – there are some funny ass peeps up in here, yo. Or you could have a Pinteste Challenge! Pick a Pin for us to all try and feature the range of results. Prizes, sponsors???

This may just be my mildly compulsive personality, but it bugs me a teensy bit when the tests fail but the instructions are no followed and the correct items/ingredients are not used. I think there are plenty of pins that are ridiculously complicated and still bound to fail when followed correctly. Still love it and get the whole “this is real life, who really has all this stuff on hand” thing.

Long time reader, first time commenter. I would like to see more crafts from you. I fuck up enough Pinterest recipes on my own. Ask my poor husband! I too don’t care for the videos. Not that I don’t love you, I just don’t love videos in general. Unless it’s lesbian porn, then I’m all for it. Also, and I am completely aware that I am in the minority here – I can’t stand the nail polish tests. Again, nothing against you or the people that love to paint lady bugs on their nubs, but in the words of the brilliant little costume designer on School of Rock… You are tacky & I hate you.

I really enjoyed your contest for the best Unicorn Cow (or whatever it was). I suggest you do a themed contest for each holiday or pseudo-holiday. I need new background pictures for my laptop. I still have The Magical Pintester Unicowacorn up. Love your stuff.

I like the videos, especially the Cocknails. I did the bloody nails thingy you did for Halloween and actually got compliments from co-workers! (Pretty amazing considering the usual bitchiness in the office.) I only cook using the microwave and toaster so seeing you make things using the oven really inspires me to try making real food. Haven’t actually gotten around to doing it, but I’ve thought about it. I would like to see something in the store with more than just “Pintester” on it. I’d totally buy a shirt that said “F*ing up pins so you don’t have to”, or something along those lines…I don’t know, just something with a whole shitload of “fuck sprinkles” on it would make my day!

I love you’re blog but it’s so frustrating to read about a pin that you tested only to see you substituted an ingredient with something else. A lot of the time I feel like that is one of the main reasons the results aren’t always what they should be.

She doesn’t always follow it to a T, but its what most of everyone else would do if they didn’t have ingredient A. So, I think her method is perfect and HILARIOUS. if you want to see the perfect pin, go to blog that made it!!

There’s a newsletter? And now you want us to follow you on other sites? I love you, you make me laugh my ass off, but can I barely keep up with just this blog… Just keep doing what you’re doing out here, that’s good enough for me 🙂

I was going to suggest a different way to comment because I don’t have a facebook (gasp!) and I have no clue what livefyre is. I like to just post a comment without having to enter a user name and password every time (I forget my password anyways) but I love joining in the conversation.

Also, it would be cool if you had a chance, to respond to some of the comments left on pinterest on your pins (obviously you are busy, and there are tons of comments/pins)

There are times when I am so very tempted to leave a comment under a pin and tell everyone that it didn’t work for me, much like your mug cake. (I had the same result as you did.) But, I don’t want to insult the Pinner, so I won’t leave a negative comment. It would be nice if there was a spot where we could tell other Pinners about our successes and failures; limited to just so many words. And one more thing — I wish Pinners would at least mention that the Pin takes you no where, or to Etsy and not to a site with directions. Guess there isn’t any way to remedy that problem.

Could you maybe cut back on the ads a little bit? I understand you gotta eat, but it takes each page about 10 minutes to load now, due to all the extra crap. As an example, in the middle of my typing this comment, a pop-up survey interrupted me asking if I was going to buy some sort of soap. I don’t visit the site a often due to the ads. Video? No thanks.

The only thing I would change about the site is the format of the posts. Right now you have to click on each post to read the whole thing, then click back to get the whole list again, then click on the next one, then back again…. Too much clicking! Can we get a continuous flow of entire posts?

For some reason your site is very very slow for me. Doesn’t seem to matter what computer I’m on, and I don’t really have that problem on other websites. And I’m not a big fan of the video because I don’t have the patience to watch videos – I know that’s weird, because it probably takes less time than reading. But I love your site and look forward to more!

You may not even see this comment because this is an older post (and to be fair, my suggestion is just something that would make newbies happier), but, I’m going to go for it and suggest away anyway! Here goes: I vote you add a link to take newbies to your oldest post, so after they find and fall in love with your blog, they can do a massive, chronological “catch-up” binge. This link could be as a last line in your “About” section or maybe a link for “oldest” in the upper right next to where you have “latest likes comments random.” I also vote that you add a line to your “about” page saying how long ago you started the blog. I THINK that you started it around December 2012, because I finally got to the bottom and it says “No More Posts” where it used to say “Load More” – but maybe I’ve just reached the page limit? I have been having so much fun with the blog that I’m hoping I’m wrong and there are more 🙂